Liar's Desire ✔️

30| Chocolate Pancakes

Tristan's POV

"I already ate," I lied. Stephanie and I were sitting in a cafe together face to face. 

"But it's seven in the morning," she said, "You really had time to prepare breakfast? Plus, you're still in your pajamas." 

"Right," I replied, "No point in lying I guess." 

I opened the menu and pretended that I was looking for something to order. I had a plan; when the waitress or waiter came, I would say I haven't picked anything yet. Stephanie would order and we would be finished by the time she's done with her food and I'll tell her that I was going to eat at home. 

"Could I get you two started with any drinks?" the waitress asked as she clicked her pen. 

"Hot chocolate," Stephanie smiled. 

"Hot chocolate," I replied. 

"I'll get whatever you're getting, Tristan," she smiled. She was in the same room as Carlos and I the other day, she knew exactly what she was doing. 

"Fine," I said, "Any allergies?" 

"Nope!" she replied cheerfully. 

The waitress came back and I ordered, "Two orders of chocolate pancakes please." 

She wrote it down on her notepad, "They'll be out in about fifteen minutes." 

"This is awkward," I said, "Is there anything specific you wanted to ask me?"

"Tell me about yourself," she said, "I wanna get to know you."

"Sorry about the car incident," I said, "Did I already say that?" 

"I stopped counting after three," she said. 

"Right," I said, "I used to bully Carlos. I don't mind if you think of me as any less of a person, I deserve it." 

"Tiffany told me everything," she said, "You were manipulated by your own best friend." 

"Well, it's not really her fault," I said, trying to brush off the fact that Tiffany exposed my past to Stephanie, "I was mostly at fault." 

"At least you regret it," she said, "Some people just forget about it. You regretting it shows that you actually have compassion." 

I didn't say anything. She was just saying that to be nice, I knew it. No one and nothing could validate what I did to Carlos. 

The window next to our table was open. The soft breeze caused Stephanie's hair to move a little bit, she looked really pretty. 

"Is there something on my face?" she asked. 

"No," I said, "Your hair looks nice moving in the wind." 

She looked flustered, "I don't get compliments often." 

The waitress brought the pancakes out and I stared at the plate. I started to cut up the pancakes and though, how I am suppose to get out of eating this? 

"You're not going to eat?" said Stephanie, "You ordered it." 

"I'll pay," I offered, "I insist." 

"I asked you to hang out," she said, "I'll pay." 

I got out of my chair to pay at the register but she sprinted towards the counter with her debit card. 

"I paid," she said, "Now you have to eat it." 

I put a piece of pancake in my mouth. The last time I had eaten was around three days ago. It tasted good. Chocolatey, soft, and warm. 

I looked up to see Stephanie smiling. The second I made eye contact with her, she turned her head away. 

"So, how's your food?" I asked. It was awkward to just sit silently and eat.

 "It tastes great," she said, "Good choice." 

I gave her a light smile and went back to picking at my food. Sure, I was hungry. But I didn't want to eat, I didn't deserve to. 

"If you want to live," she began, "You gotta eat." 

"What does it mean to live?" I asked, "Right now I feel like I'm just existing." 

"In the end, everything will be okay," she said, "It always does, right?" 

I nodded my head and even though I disagreed. I didn't believe that things would actually work out in the end. I ruined my life and the regret of my actions would burden me forever. 

Outside, it was snowing heavily so Stephanie shut the window. The snow reminded me of the tiny white flowers. So pure and light but could cause so much harm.